IU expanding Evansville medical school to four years; eyeing new location

EVANSVILLE - Officials with the Indiana University School of Medicine-Evansville are exploring sites suitable for the upcoming expansion of their program from two to four years of study, residency and training.

They say the Roberts Stadium property is one location being discussed, but there are many other possible scenarios, including a new facility on the University of Southern Indiana campus.

The program since 1994 has been housed on the third floor of USI's Health Professions Building.

Evansville has one of eight regional medical schools operated by IU. All of those programs are either four years in duration, or are in the process of being expanded from two to four years.

The growth is in response to an older physician workforce across Indiana, as well as a trend toward earlier retirements, according to IU.

St. Mary's Medical Center, Deaconess Hospital and hospitals in Jasper, Ind., and Owensboro, Ky., are involved in the planning process for expanding the Evansville program to four years, said Catherine Zimmermann, director of development of Indiana University School of Medicine-Evansville.

The local program's expansion will take effect in June 2013.

The study of potential locations, and several other key issues related to the program's expansion, is being steered by a local committee with assistance from a health education consultant, Tripp Umbach Associates.

"Our planning study is looking at what are the needs of the community overall when it comes to academic health instruction, and asking what are the needs going forward," Zimmermann said. "The whole face of medicine is changing. It's a team-based environment. We're asking if things can be done collaboratively."

The study is to be complete by early January. Tripp Umbach will make recommendations "regarding viable community partnerships and a suitable location for the school that will foster the community's long term goals," according to a news release.

Zimmermann declined to categorize the potential interest in the Roberts Stadium property as compared with several other sites, saying it's still early in the process.

"There are several locations in the community being considered. None have been finalized," Zimmermann said.

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has envisioned a new city park at the Roberts Stadium location, once the building is razed. Some City Council members have expressed interest in the city selling the property.

The IU program in Evansville has 20 students in their first year and 16 in their second year.

By expanding to four years, those students and others who follow will be able to conclude their studies and meet residency requirements at medical facilities in Evansville and elsewhere in the region, Zimmermann said.

The program's existing USI location "is adequate for first- and second-year student needs, but going forward with third and fourth years will require more space," Zimmermann said.

Regardless of the location ultimately chosen, the upcoming move from a two-year to a four-year medical education program for Evansville "has a significant amount of energy in the community," Zimmermann said, noting the new training opportunities that will be created.

"There's no reason we can't expand multiple residencies in the region," Zimmermann said. "If a student completes his or her residency in a particular region, there's a 70 percent chance they will stay."

Winnecke said a four-year medical school in Evansville operated by IU will allow "a pipeline of physicians to stay in this region," and he cited the economic development benefits.

He said he's been in communication with the steering committee studying a list of local sites and also with IU President Michael McRobbie.

But Winnecke remains in support of new city park at the Roberts Stadium site, once the 56-year-old building is razed. He said he is not sure the Roberts site would have enough acreage for the medical school and for surrounding medical facilities which could come in future years.

"My sense is that Roberts doesn't have enough land, and I'm not sure how the neighbors would feel," Winnecke said.